News Item

From Special Irish Fest Thank-God-Irishmen-Wear-Pants Correspondent Becky Regan:

Sporran* Wearers May Need Licence

(BBC) "Kilt owners may have to seek a licence for their sporran. Kilt wearers could face prosecution if they do not have a licence for their sporran under new legislation which has been introduced in Scotland. The laws are designed to protect endangered species like badgers and otters, whose fur used to be favoured by sporran makers. The legislation applies to animals killed after 1994. Applicants must prove that the animal was killed lawfully before they will be able to get a licence. They also apply to other vulnerable animals like deer, wildcats, hedgehogs**, bats, lynx, moles, seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises.

The regulations require anyone who owns any part of a protected animal to obtain a licence. The maximum penalties for breaking the law are a fine of £5,000 and six months in prison.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said the new rules had been put in place to bring Scotland into line with existing European legislation designed to protect vulnerable species. "The licence will allow people who possess artefacts made from these species in circumstances compliant with earlier laws to keep them," she said."

*A sporran is that little furry purse that kilt wearers hang below their bellies.

** Leading Scottish women all over the country to ask "Is that a hedgehog in your sporran or are you just happy to see me?"